The recent visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to the Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (April 18, 2024) was marked by significant discussions and agreements. In the post-meeting press statement, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi outlined three key messages conveyed by President Jokowi.
Firstly, President Jokowi emphasized the necessity of strengthening the mutually beneficial economic ties between Indonesia and China. Minister Retno underscored President Jokowi’s attention to the growing volume and value of bilateral trade, aiming for a more balanced trade relationship. President Jokowi also stressed the importance of continued market access for Indonesian products in China, including the resolution of protocols for importing Indonesian agricultural and fisheries products.
Additionally, President Jokowi urged for enhanced cooperation in developing the Indonesia-China Economic Corridor (IKN), particularly focusing on transportation infrastructure. He also addressed concerns regarding the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, advocating for technology transfer and expediting feasibility studies for extending its route to Surabaya.
Furthermore, President Jokowi encouraged the implementation of strategic projects in the North Kalimantan industrial zone, particularly emphasizing investments in petrochemical industries.
Secondly, President Jokowi highlighted the critical issue of food security, emphasizing the importance of bilateral agricultural cooperation, particularly in rice, horticulture, and durian. He stressed the significance of studying China’s agricultural models as part of this collaboration.
Lastly, President Jokowi discussed the situation in the Middle East, underlining Indonesia’s commitment to diplomatic communication with various stakeholders, including Iran and the United States. Indonesia emphasized three key points: the importance of restraint, the necessity of de-escalation, and urging countries to utilize their influence to prevent further escalation. Minister Retno emphasized Indonesia’s alignment with China in supporting Palestinian independence through a two-state solution. Both sides concurred on the imperative of a fair resolution to the Palestinian issue for ensuring stability in the Middle East. Additionally, they exchanged views on the majority support among UN member states for Palestine’s full membership in the UN, reaffirming their unwavering support for Palestine’s UN membership.
